![Callum Lang joined Portsmouth from Wigan in January 2024 [Credit: Imago]](http://media.assettype.com/theportsmouthnews%2Fimport%2Fstatic%2Fuploads%2F12%2F2024%2F08%2FPortsmouth-Callum-Lang.png?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Ex-FIFA referee reacts to contentious decision in Portsmouth loss v Burnley
Chris Foy has called it an "excellent" decision to award Portsmouth their opening goal against Burnley on Saturday (21 September).
Former Premier League and FIFA referee Foy credited the assistant referee's judgement in noting that Callum Lang was onside to open the scoring from close range during the first half of Pompey's 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor.
Lang's goal was his third of the league season but he was later forced off through an injury precaution, and was unable to prevent the Clarets claiming all three points in the dying minutes.
Foy told Sky Sports [24 September]: "This is an excellent decision made by the assistant referee, highlighting great judgement and awareness.
"Due to his close proximity to the line as the ball is crossed, it could look as though Portsmouth's goal scorer, number 49 [Lang], is in an offside position. However, we can see that Burnley's no. 5 and Burnley no. 2 who slides in to block the cross are actually playing him onside.
"The assistant referee is able to identify this in the quickly developing picture and he correctly keeps his flag down. The goal is rightfully awarded."
John Mousinho criticises officials after Portsmouth defeat
Despite the correct call being made by the officials in awarding Lang's goal, Portsmouth boss John Mousinho made his feelings known at full-time on a perceived negative refereeing display.
Mousinho was provoked by the decision from referee David Webb not to penalise Burnley for an alleged foul on Harvey Blair, which led to Josh Brownhill rolling home a stoppage-time winner for Scott Parker's side.
The result leaves Pompey second-bottom of the table, propped up only by Cardiff City, who this week sacked manager Erol Bulut after a torrid start.
The Blues and the Bluebirds are the only sides in the Championship who remain winless, but the run of fixtures Mousinho's men have endured to start the season has been insurmountably difficult.
Pompey take on Sheffield United at Fratton Park next up, in a fixture which rounds off September as the side look to put an end to successive home defeats.
In other Portsmouth news, Don Goodman makes a comparison to Wayne Rooney after Pompey's start.
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